Hypodermic needle mount



Oct. 14, 1958 E. HENDERSON 2,855,927

HYPODERMIC NEEDLE MOUNT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1955 INVENOREdward 17e/darum ATTORNEY Oct..l4, 1958 E. HENDERSON HYPODERMIC NEEDLEMOUNT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1955 ATTORNEYS HYPODERMC NEEDLEMOUNT Edward Henderson, Montclair, N. J.

Application May 5, 1955, Serial No. 506,208

9 Claims. (Cl. 12S-218) This invention relates to a hypodermic needlemount for releasably and resiliently 'holding a hypodermic needlesecurely in place for use.

Known types of hypodermic needle m-ounts include those which are adaptedfor rigidly holding needles of uniform diameter from end to end andothers which accommodate only needles of special construction, as withflared ends, intermediate flanges or other peripherally projectingparts. In the rst mentioned group, are mounts provided with clutchdevices of metal or other rigid material. These have disadvantages whichgreatly limit their use. For example, a rigid clutch can eifectivelyretain only needles of a given diameter under conditions which avoidleakage; or, 1as an alternative, must be employed with adequate gaskets.A further disadvantage of the rigid or unyielding clutch mount is that aneedle so held is easily broken by lateral impact.

Known clutch type mounts also have the disadvantage that toc much timeand care are required in replacing needles, particularly underconditions which make the time factor critical. Thus, where there is noinner end stop to quickly and automatically limit inward movement of theneedle, valuable time can be wasted in trying to place it accurately inthe clutch. Also, without such a stop, undue handling of the needle isinvolved with consequent increased likelihood of its contaminationbefore use.

Where the mount receives only needles specially formed to limit theirinward movement, its use is, to that extent, restricted because suchneedles are not in abundant supply and are more expensive thanconventional types of needles which are commonly of uniform diameter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved needlemount assembly which retains the needle securely but resiliently inplace when in use and provides a positive stop to limit inwarddisplacement of the needle even when considerable force is -appliedthereto, but which nevertheless may be readily opened and closed, whendesired, to permit the convenient and rapid insertion, adjustment andremoval of the needle.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedhypodermic needle mount of the above character which maybe readilycleaned and sterilized.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved needlemount having means for retaining an inexpensive needle of substantiallyuniform diameter from end to end so that the needle can be discarded ifdesired after use. Such needles may advantageously be packed in improvedsterile vpackages which permit shipping, storage, handling and insertionin the mount for use without contamination.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved shockabsorbing mount for a hypodermic needle which embraces a shank portionthereof in a cushioning element for absorbing and minimizing shocks orimpacts to the needle applied in a transverse or lateral direction.

My invention contemplates the provision of an improved hypodernricneedle mount or holder having a Patented oct. i4, s

stressed or released condition, a needle of uniform diamy eter from endto end may ibe readily inserted in or removed frorn said opening. Anadjustable member is provided for stressing the collet so that thematerial thereof ows into gripping engagement with a shank portion ofthe needle to securely hold it in place. The collet thus serving as thesole retainer for the needle, not only securely holds it againstaccidental endwise displacement but also serves as a shock absorberminimizing impacts andv shocks imparted to the needle in a lateral ortransverse direction.

A positive stop is preferably provided to engage the needle and limitthe imward displacement thereof.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed. description of the drawings in which- Fig. l is a centrallongitudinal sectional View of my improved hypodermic needle mountshowing a needle with a portion of its shank positioned loosely in thecollet thereof which is in normal, unstressed condition;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the mount in closed positionwith the collet stressed so as to grip and securely retain the needle inposition for use;

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional View similar to Fig. lshowing a modified form of mount in which resilient prongs embrace thecollet and a slightly different form of needle stop is employed;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the collet of Fig. 3 in closed positiongripping the needle;

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a further modiiiedform of the collet in a mount adapted to iit the outer end or tip of ahypodermic syringe having a detachable tip;

Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal view of a further moditied form ofmount similar to that shown in Fig. 5 and in which a portion of thepassageway through the tip is otset to form a shoulder that serves as apositive stop;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View in the direction of the arrows on theline 7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a further modifiedform of collet and tip applied to a syringe and showing that the otherend or tip of the syringe may, in certain instances, serve as a positivestop for the needle; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are central longitudinal sectional views of a furthermodified form of needle mount embodying my invention shown in open andclosed positions, respectively, and illustrating a needle mountedtherein with a laterally offset shank portion -engaging the tip whichserves in such case as a positive stop.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2, the invention is there illustrated asembodied in a mount applied to the barrel l5 of a hypodermic syringe.The barrel may be made in the usual manner of glass, plastic material orthe like with a tubular neck 16 at the outer end thereof to which thebase iiange i7 at one end of the tubular tip i3 is suitably secured, asby being cemented thereto.

The tip i8 may be made of any suitable material, as metal, with itsouter end threaded at i9. Its central bore 20 is larger in diameter thanany of the needles to be used with the mount and extends through the tipWith its lower or inner end communicating with the interior of thesyringe barrel, as shown, through a similar bore in said neck 16 andwith its outer end positioned to receive an inner end shank portion of aneedle.

The outer end of tip 18 is countersunk or recessed as shown ,at 21around bore 20 to provide a seat for one end of a collet 22 in the formof a tubular sleeve or bushing made of a flexible resilient materialhaving th'clifeteistiesof rubber, such as natural rubber, syntheticrubber, or a naturalor synthetic silicone rubber and having alongitudinal bore- 14. Both ends of said colletm'ay be tapered, assh'owi'i, sothat either will conform with the correspondingly taperedcontour of said counterbore21. Thus," th`e"collet`may be mounted in theend of tip 18 with either end lengaging said counterbore,j 21.`

The' bore 14 through' collet 22 is'larger in diameter than the outsidediameter ofthe largest size 'h'y'podermic needle appropriate for usewith the mount so that when said collet is in normal' unstressedAcondition, as shown in Fig. 1, the needle may oe readily inserted inand'removed therefrom. Although rubber of' the 'consistency useful forthis purpose is substantially non-compressible, it will Lflow or 'shiftits' position 'under compression. Accordingly, when stressis appliedtothe collet with a needle positioned therein, the material thereof willflow into gripping engagem'entwith' the needle in the manner shown inFig. Zand so securely retain the needleiin place for use.

To accomplish this result, I provide suitable collet stressing means oneform of which includes a compression cap 23 internally tapered fromawide bottoinopening to a" narrower top opening 24 and which is providedwith threads'on a portion of the inner surfaceengaging with the threads19 on tip '18. In this manner, cap. 23 is adjustably mounted onV tipISso that it can readily be-manipulated from open or needlel receivingand releasing position, as shown in Fig. l with the collet unstressed,to closed position with the cap 23 stressing collet 22 so as to cause itto tightly grip a shank portion of the needle 26. y

The outer end opening 24 of compression cap 23is substantially larger indiameterV than any of the needles to be used with the assembly;Inasm'uch'as the passage 20 `in tip 18 and the opening 24 in cap 23 arelarger than the needle, the latter is engaged and securely retained inthe mount when cap 23 is tightened, solely by means of said collet 22.In addition, it willbe seen that the collet of rubber orequivalentsubstance provides a resilient cushion which permits rockingof the needle out of its axial position and thusfunetions as a shockabsorber for absorbing and minimizing laterally directed impacts andserves as a Watertightseal to prevent passage of fluid either around theneedle or around the collet. It is contemplated that a relatively smalldegree of angular displacement of the needlel will be useful and will bepermitted where the bore 2G and the opening 244 are sufliciently largerin diameter than needle 26.

In addition to collet 22 and other parts coopera-ting to retain needle26, I also provide a suitable positive stop in the path of a portion ofthe needle. This may'take any desired form as, for instance, a pin 25 ofsmaller dimension than the passage 20 and mounted transversely thereinso as to be engaged by the inner end of the needle when it is insertedtherein. The stop should not block the ow of fluid through the needle;and for this purpose, may be positioned otf center Iwith respect to thepassage 20, or it may be of suitable cross-sectional shape, as indicatedin Figs. 1 through 5, so as not to block the lower end opening in theneedle. v

The hypodermc needle 26, as shown, is of conventional type, but withouthub or bead, is of uniform diameter and has a central bore and a pointedouter end 27; It is contemplated that amount according to my inventi'onwill securely hold these needles which-are free from any needle hub,attaching bead' or like enlargement. That portionV of the shank'ofneedle 26 which engages the collet may be roughened or knurled at 63, asshown in Fig. 14, so as to provide additional frictional grip, ifrequired, between'the collet and needle. The mount is thus adapted toemploy needles of relatively simple 4i and inexpensive constructionwhich may be freely discarded 'afferhsel In using a hypodermic deviceembodying my invention as above described, the cap 23 is rotated to openor noncompressing position to bring collet 22 into normal unstressedcondition. The shank end of hypodermic needle 26 may then be easily andrapidly inserted in the mount until it engages the fixedstopZS.` Thecompression cap 23 is then tightened suiciently to stress collet 22 bycompression into secure gripping engagement with the needle 26 tosecurely retain it in place for employment in the usual manner.

It will thus be seen that my improved three-part hypodermic needle mountissimple to use; and that although the needles may be readily insertedand removed, they are securely retained in the mount while in use. Inaddition, needle breakage is minimized due to the fact thatpthe needleis free to rock slightly against lateral cushioning means so thatlateral shocks or impacts imparted thereto are absorbed or minimized bythe collet 22 which forms the sole retaining means for the needle.

In'the modi'ed form of my invention shown in Figs. 3' and 4, the outer.endV of tip 18a is not recessed or counterbored as in Figs. land 2.Instead, it is provided with a projecting collar or flange 31 of reducedoutside diameter which tits into a coaxial recess in the lower end ofcollet 32 which is made of resilient material similar'to that of thecollet shown in Figs. 1 and 2 andV has a similar central bore andtapered outer end. Thus, the inner `end`of thecollet 32 can betelescoped over flange 31 of'tip 18a andthu's, to that extent, be moresecurely andV- accurately heldin needle receiving position when cap 23is loosened or removed.

The collet`stressing means in Figs. 3 and 4 includes, besides cap 23, aplurality of resilient prongs 33 which erribraee'tliev collet and arepreferably secured to the outer end of the'tip- When the cap'23 is inthe open position' shown in Fig. 3, the prongs project outwardly inparallel relationship and do not apply stress to the collet. When thecap 23 is tightened to the position shown in Fig. 4 it deects' en'dportions of the prongs 33 inwardly causing them to stress th'e collet,with the result that the material thereof'flows into gripping engagementwith the needle.' When cap 23'is adjusted'toopen position, the prongs 33will again spring outwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, relieving thestress'onthe collet and releasing its grip on needle 26.

The cross'pin 34lserving as the positive stop for needle 26 Vmay beof-ditferent cross-sectional configuration `from thatsh'own in the firstdescribed form of my invention,A as, for'instan'ce,` triangular; and theassembly shown in Figs; 3' and 4`may be used in the same manner and'tothe same advantage as the form of mount shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to Fig. 5, I have shown a modified form of-collet 45applied to a well-known type of removable tip 36 which can readily beattached to and removed from a standard syringe'by actuating a couplingmember 38. The barrel'15 of a hypodermic syringe is shown as formed withan integral tip 16 of slightly modified form to which is permanentlysecured the base tlange 3S of a coupling member which receives theremovable tip assembly shown generally at 36.

The coupling member includes the externally tapered neck portion 37 andthe larger concentric ange 38 disposed ther'earound and both of whichare secured to the base portion 39 which in turn is integral with thebase ange 35. Theange 38 is internally threaded as shown at 40. The"removable tip assembly is provided with a tubular connecting portion 41at its lower end which is internally ared so as to tit over the taperedneck 37 and is provided with external `threads 42 which mesh with thethreads 40.l

The tip assembly may be coupled with the syringe by applying the lowerend thereofrto the neck 37 and turning the tip assembly a clockwisedirection so that the threads cause the ared coupling portion 41 totightly grip and tightly engage and seal against the outer surface ofthe tapered neck 37. The parts may be uncoupled by turning the tipassembly in an anti-clockwise direction.

The tip 36 is in general similar to tip 18a, Figs. 3 and 4, beingprovided with a similar internal bore or passage 20 larger in diameterthan any of the needles to be received therein. Tip 36 is also threadedat 19 to receive a stress applying member, such as cap 23, as shown inFigs. l and 2. A suitable positive stop for the needle is also providedas, for instance, cross pin 25 extending across the passage 2d. Aretaining flange 44 similar to flange 31, Figs. 3 and 4, projects beyondthe outer end of tip 36 as shown so as to receive and hold in place thecollet 45 made of suitably resilient materials, as above described inconnection with collets 22 and 32. Said collet shown in Fig. 5 is,however, of cylindrical shape and of uniform inside and outside diameterfrom end to end. The inside diameter of collet 45 is considerably largerthan the diameter of the needle to be inserted therein but of suchdimension that, when the cap is tightened, the collet is stressedsufficiently to cause it to flow into gripping engagement with theneedle.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I have shown a tip 18]; having a central needlereceiving bore or passageway 20 partially blocked at its inner end by aprojection 47 which presents a shoulder 47a and defines an eccentricallydisposed passageway 48, so that when needle 26 is inserted in the bore20, its inner end will engage and rest on the shoulder 47a which thusserves as a positive stop. However, as shown in Fig. 7, at least aportion of the opening through the needle communicates with theeccentric passage 48 so that the uid contents of the hypodermic syringecan be expelled through the needle. In other respects, the needle mountshown in Figs. 6 and 7 is similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified form of needle mount wherein the partsare so arranged that the discharge end of the syringe may serve as thepositive stop for the needle. Thus, flange 51 of tip 18C is permanentlysecured to the neck 16 of the syringe 15 with bore 20 communicating withbore 50 of'said syringe. The bore or passage 2t) is somewhat larger indiameter than the largest needle to be used therewith and is also largerthan the passage 50. Accordingly, needles of greater outside diameterthan the passage 50 may be received therein, as shown, and with theirinner ends resting on the end of neck 16" at the end of the syringebarrel which thus serves as a positive stop while at the same time fluidmay be expelled through the passage 50 into `the bore of the needle.

The tubular collet 53 of rubber or the like, as in previously describedcollets, is tapered at both ends as shown and assembled with its innerend nested into a tapered recess 54 provided in the outer end of tip18C. The inner end of collet 53 is recessed as shown at 55 to receive anattaching flange 31 provided at the outer end of tip 18e. The openingthrough collet 53 is at least as large as the passage 20 through 18C sothat the needle 26 may be freely inserted in said passage and saidopening when the collet is in unstressed condition.

The needle mount above described and as shown in Fig. 8 is used insimilar fashion to those previously described and is particularlysuitable for use with larger diameter needles and should generally notbe used with small needles.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a mount such as that shown in Figs. 3 and 4,may also be employed to receive a modified form of needle, as 26' whichis provided with a laterally offset portion such as the small bend 57positioned to engage an upper edge portion of the tip 18a. Said needles26 are of uniform diameter from end to end and are free of any attachinghub or bead. The lateral offset or bend 57 does not involve any sharpangles and, accordingly, does not materially affect the cross-sectionalarea of the bore or the passage of fluid through the needle.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a tip 18a is provided with aninternal passage 20 and exterior threads 19 which engage with thethreaded cap 23 serving to stress collet 60 which, as in other forms ofmy invention, is made of a material having the characteristics ofrubber. The opening through collet 60 is at least as large as thepassage 20 when the collet is in unstressed position, and passage 20 andend opening 24 are large enough to permit some rocking or incliningdisplacement of needle 26 when it encounters a laterally applied force.Said collet 60 has a cylindrical external diameter but is recessed asshown at its lower end to accommodate the attaching ange 61. The opening24 through cap 23 as well as the opening through collet 6i), when thecollet is in unstressed condition, are large enough to permit passage ofthe offset 57 to operative position. However, the passage 20 whilereceiving the lower end of needle 26 is not large enough to accommodatethe offset S7 with the result that the later rests upon an upper edgeportion of the ange 61 which thus serves as a positive stop. ln use,needle 26 is inserted in the mount until the offset 57 comes to theposition just described. Thereupon cap 23 is tighened, stressing therubber collet 6d and causing it to grip needle 26 and retain it securelyin place for use.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have provided an improvedhypodermic needle mount which serves to retain the needle firmly inplace when in use; which includes a positive stop that limits the inwarddisplacement of the needle even when considerable force is appliedthereto; and which may be readily opened and closed when desired topermit the convenient insertion and removal of the needle. The mountalso provides means for cusioning hypodermic needles against shocks orimpacts imparted to the needle in a transverse or lateral direction.Furthermore, a mount according to my invention permits the use in oneembodiment of relatively simple and inexpensive needles of various sizeswhich can be discarded if desired after use and which can be packaged ina sterile package which facilitates shipping, storage and use of theneedles without contamination. It also appears that a needle mounthaving the structural features above described lends itself particularlyto effective use in situations, as the battlefield or public calamities,where many patients must be treated in minimum time with optimum effect.

Modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodimentsof the invention without departing from the invention as set forth inthe accompanying claims.

l. An improved hypodermic needle mount for releasably retaining in placea hypodermic needle of substantially uniform diameter from end to endand cooperable to be applied to a hypodermic syringe barrel comprising:a tip having a passage therein cooperable to be applied to a hypodermicsyringe barrel with the passage in communication with the barrel; acollet made of a flexible resilient material having the characteristicsof rubber positioned coaxially with said passage, said collet being intubular form with a central opening large enough when the collet is innormal unstressed condition to freely receive the shank of a hypodermicneedle to be retained in the mount; a collet stressing cap operativelyengaging the collet and adjustable on said tip to apply stress to thecollet and thereby cause portions thereof to ow into gripping engagementwith a hypodermic needle inserted therein to provide the sole means forretaining the needle in the mount; and means providing a positive stopassociated with said tip adjacent the passage therein for engaging theneedle to limit the inward displacement thereof.

2. An improved hypodermic needle mount of the type set forth in claim 1in which the tip is threaded and the collet stressing cap is in threadedengagement with the threads of the tip.

3. Anl improved hypodermic needle-.mount as 'set .for-th in claim 1 inwhich the positive stop comprises a pin ofsmaller transverse dimension-than-the= passage mounted 1n said tip and extendingflacross thepassage.

4. An improved hypodermicneedle mount'fas-set forth in claim 1 whichincludes resilientprongs embracing/the collet, yand the colletstressingpcapphas threaded engagement with the tip and is engageablewithsaid prongs -to deflect end portions thereof inwardly upon thecollet.

5. An improved hypodermic needle mount-for releasably retaining in placea hypodermic needle of substantially uniform diameter from end to endan'cl.-cooperabl`e to be applied to a hypodermic syringe barrelcomprising: a tubular tip having an externally `threaded portion and apassage extending therethrough and largerI in diameter than the`hypodermic needle to be inserted thereinrsaidtipI beingI cooperable tobe applied to av hypodermic syringe barrel with the passage incommunication withfthey barrel; a-

tubular collet made of a iiexible resilient ymaterial having;

the characteristics of rubber and having a centralopening large enoughwhen the collet is in'lnormal: unstressedl condition to freely receivethe shankof al hypodermic needle to be retained in the mount, said tipandcollet having cooperating means for retaining Zthem inE assembledrelationship with the collet extending beyond and engaging the end ofthe tip and with the opening therein forming a continuation of thepassage in the tip; colletstressing means including an internallythreaded cap appliedto thethreaded portion of the tip and operativelyengaging thev collet whereby the cap may be adjusted on the-tip to applystress to the collet and cause portions thereof to -low into grippingengagement with a hypodermicneedlel inserted to thereby provide the soleretaining means to` retain-the needle in the mount, said cap having anopening through its outer end larger than the needle to .beinsertedtherein: for accommodating the needle; and means providing a positivestop associated with said tip,v adjacent the *passage therein forengaging the needle to limit the inward displacement thereof.

6. An improved hypodermic needle mount as set forth in claim 5 in whichthe cooperating retaining'meansl on the tip and collet includes a recessiny the end-fof the tipi 8 and a'complementary projeotingf portionformed on the end of the collet.

7: An improved hypodermic needle mount as set forth inv claim 5 in whichthe cooperating retaining means on theitip and collet includes a ange ofreduced diameter compared to the tip projectingrfrom the end of the saidtipA and frictionally engaging the inner surface of theV collet. v

8. An improved hypodermic needle mount as set forth in claim 5 in whichthe cooperating retaining means on the tip and collet includesaplurality of spring prongs projecting from the end ofthe tip andembracing the collet, saidV prongs being in operative engagement with7the cap so that when the latter is tightened it engages `the prongs tocause them to .apply stress tothe collet.

9. In a hypodermic needle mount, the' combination of a tip' having alongitudinal bore arranged and adapted tof receive a portion of a needleshank,"'needle retaining means carried at one end of said tip andadjustably movable for gripping yand releasing a needle shank wherebythe needleis prevented from being pulled out of-the mount when saidretaining means is in gripping engagement with said shank, and stopmeans carried by said tip in the form of a rod-extending transverselyacross the bore in position to be engaged by the inner end of the needleand 4effectively limitl the extent of endwise inward movement of saidneedle therein.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

